Billy Brownless deserves sympathy in Footy Show split: Mark Robinson

PLENTY of people are feeling sorry for Garry Lyon. But spare a thought for others, too, says Mark Robinson, for their lives have been turned upside down as well.

• Family, friends ‘furious’ with Lyon
• Lyon-Brownless rift reason revealed
• The life and times of Garry Lyon
• Lyon to stand down from media due to mental health condition
• Garry Lyon and best mate Billy Brownless fall out

PLENTY of people are feeling sorry for Garry Lyon.

He is off The Footy Show for the foreseeable future because of a mental health problem and it’s not known when he will return. He has depression, the scourge of so many.

Channel 9 people say Lyon has been battling his illness for several months and made a plea that “it’s a private and personal matter, and we ask that be respected”.

It is sad for Lyon, the host of an iconic TV show, a husband, father, a former star footballer full of confidence, bravado and ego. It is a harrowing story, but only half of the harrowing story.

Today, people should also feel sorry for Bill Brownless and Garry’s former wife Melissa, and all their kids and extended families. They deserve support as well.

Lyon’s troubles don’t end with depression.

Garry Lyon and Billy Brownless at the Southern Cross Austereo launch in South Melbourne.

He and Brownless have been mates for 15, 20 years or more, have shared family holidays, shared laughs and beers and shared intimate stories that are saved for someone you call a best mate.

Lyon had a relationship with Brownless’s former wife, Nicky. He was caught out, and the feud with Brownless was made public on Saturday. Nine’s announcement came later that day.

Lyon may have been battling depression for years, undiagnosed. It may have swamped him only in recent months. The cynic might say the fallout with Brownless, which came recently, could have prompted Lyon to career into the abyss.

Depression is a complex affliction. Those who don’t have it wonder about its severity. Those who know someone who has depression are wholly convinced. Those who have depression surely wonder if the world really understands the struggle.

They get our support and understanding, no doubt, but just as quickly as mental health problems have enveloped society, so have many questions.

In some cases, what comes first: the chicken or the egg?

Does poor or disturbing or unhealthy behaviour bring on depression? Or does depression bring on poor or disturbing or unhealthy behaviour?

These are charged questions, but they are questions that are being asked.

No one can answer except for Lyon. Clearly, it is devastating for all.

Billy and Gaz, the two boys from the country who tripped the light fantastic on the field and off it, may never recover from this very difficult period in their lives.

Lyon’s actions have devastated Brownless and others, and it’s little wonder Lyon is in a dark place.

Of course, feel sorry for him as he embarks on the road to recovery.

He needs help.

But spare a thought for others, too, for their lives have been turned upside down as well.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au/gethelp